Apparatus for filling cans



A ril 14, 1953 R. POLK, s'R., ETAL 2,634,893

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS Filed May 26, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 3.7 INVENTORS 789mb POLK 5/8. PflLP/f Pam Ja 28 ATTORNEYS 'April 14, I953 -R."PoLI SR, ET AL 2,634,893

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS Filed May 26,1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 m ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 14, 1953 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CANS Ralph Polk, Sr., and Ralph Polk, J r.,' Tampa, Fla., assignors to The Polk Development Company, Tampa, Fla., 2:. ccpartnership Application May 26, 1950, Serial No. 164,396

2 Claims.

This invention relates to the packing of products into containers, and more especially to an apparatus for filling containers with food products, and particularly citrus fruit sections, having a wide disparity between each dimension.

Because of the relative fragility of grapefruit and orange sections and because of their general shape and size, the usual can filling machinery is not adapted to handling this product and packers have heretofore had to resort to the socalled hand pack methods, in which the individual sections have been laid by hand into the cans, to fill cans properly with the unbroken sections. If the sections are merely dumped into a can in the haphazard manner used in the canning of most food products, the sections will be broken and large voids will be formed in the cans.

It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for filling grapefruit sections into cans in which the sections are fed successively and substantially one or two at a time into the cans and in which the sections are packed in substantially horizontal layers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the above character which also distributes the sections circumferentialiy about the interior of the can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the above character which handles the sections gently to avoid breakage of the whole sections.

To accomplish the above objects and other important advantages, the invention consistsgenerally in moving an endless row of upright cans containing a desired amount of syrup in a continuous' circuit past a filling station. The sec-'- tions are fed in a substantially continuous, one layer stream to a position at the filling station adjacent the upper rim of the can where one or more sections fall by gravity into' thecans as they move past the filling station. After the cans leave the filling station, and before they return to it, they are rocked or shaken relatively to the vertical to cause any sections which do not lie horizontally in the can to assume such a horizontal position. Also, before the cans return to the filling station they are rotated a part of a revolution about their longitudinal axes so as to present another circumferential part to the incoming sections. This procedure is repeated, a few sections, generally not more than three, being admitted to a can each time it passes the filling station until the can has been packed to desired capacity. The filled can is then removed from the'cirouit and replaced by an-empty can.-

A preferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying the invention to practical effect has been made the subject of illustration in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of appararatus for packing citrus fruit sections into cans in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken along the lined-4 of Figure 1.

The packing apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a frame, indicated generally as I, which supports on the top thereof a horizontal table 2. Rotatably journalled in suitable bearings 3, which are supported by the frame l, is a vertical shaft 4 extending upwardly above the table 2 through a central opening 5 in the table. The lower end. of the shaft 4 is adapted to carry suitable driving mechanism for connection with a source of power for imparting relatively slow speed rotation to the shaft. The driving mechanism may be a chain and sprocket or gear transmission to an electric motor or any other conventional power transmission mechanism.

Secured to the shaft 4 to rotate therewith and to the upper surface of the table, slightly spaced therefrom, is a can moving wheel designated generally by ii. The wheel 6 is generally of conventional design and has a peripheral series of equally spaced spokes 7 dividing the periphery of the wheel into acircumferential series of outwardly opening, can receiving pockets 8. The inner ends of the pockets are rounded :to correspond substantially to the circumference .of a can, and the outer ends of the spokes l are preferablycurved forwardly in the direction of rotation of the wheel to retain the cans in the pockets as the wheel rotates. As seen in Figure 3, the pockets '8 overlie the solid top of the table J2 radially beyond the central opening.

Seoured to the upper extremity of the shaft 4 by means .of a flanged-hub 9 is a horizontal circular plate Ii) in the periphery of which is formed a circular series of openings H which open through the periphery-of the plate 10 and are axially aligned respectively with the can pockets 8 in the wheel 6. The plate 10 is spaced above the top of the table 2 a distance slightly greater than the height of a can (as seen in Figure 2) and the diameter-of the openings I! corresponds substantially to the inside diameter of a can. The openings H are substantially U-shaped with the straight walls preferably extending substantially parallel outwardly from the diameter of the opening to prevent engagement of any particles protruding above the can with the plate It. It will be understood that the above dimensions with respect to the can will be modified in different machines in accordance with the size can the machine is adapted to'handle.

Journalled for rotation in bearings I2 secured to one side of the frame I is a vertical shaft 13, best illustrated in Figure 3. Secured by means of a flanged hub M, to the upper extremity of the shaft I3 is a circular, horizontal disc [5 which fits in an arcuate cut out H5 in the edgeof the table 2 so that the edgeportion of the disc underlies the can pockets 8 as the wheel 6 is rotated. The upper surface of the disc [5 lies flush with the upper surface of the table 2. The disc 55 is driven in the direction opposite that of the wheel by means of a chain I! engaging sprockets l8 and 19 secured respectively to the shafts 4 and 13.

,As shown in the drawings, the wheel 6 is being .rotated in a counterclockwise direction while the disc I5 is being rotated in a clockwise direction,

so that the overlapping portions of the wheel and disc are moving in the same general direction.

Adjacent the side of the disc which moves toward the wheel 6 as the disc rotates is the discharge end of a can conveyor 2s. This conveyor ;may be of conventional design and is of the type which feeds a line of upright cans under yielding continuous force such as by gravity or by frictional engagement of an endless belt with the bottoms of the cans. As indicated inthe draw- ,ings, the conveyor 20 has a bottom rail 2| upon which the bottoms of a row of cans ride, and a pair of side rails .22 which engage the sides of the cans to guide them in desired direction. The

bottom rail 2| terminates closely adjacent the rim of the disc l5 and is flush therewith while 7 the side rails overlie the upper surface of the disc 15 and curve toward the rim of the can wheel 6. Continuations 22a of the side rails 22 extend over the table 2 just outside of the outer ends of spokes I to aid in retaining the cans .in the pockets. Gaps in the side rails 22a. allow the cans to enter, and be removed from the pockets 8. I

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings a vertical shaft 23 is journalled for rotation in bearings 24 mounted on the frame I. The shaft 23 extends upward a short distance above the level of table 2 and has a shaker mounted on its upper end. The shaker should preferably impart a rocking motion to the cans to orient the grapefruit sections on their side as the can is filled with sections. For this purpose, the shaker illustrated in the drawings consists of a pluralityof spokes 25 extending radially from a hub 26 which is keyed or otherwise connected to the upper end of the shaft 23 for rotation therewith. In the particular form of the invention shown, the shaker'is provided with four spokes 25. Attached to 'each of the spokes and extending beyond their outer ends is a flexible strip 21 which may be'made of rubber belting or similar material. The strips 21 extend over the table 2 for a short distance in order that they will strike the partially filled cans in the filling machine and rock them in the preferred manner to orient the, grapefruit sections in the can. Figure 2 best illustrates the action of the shaker.

"A sprocket 28 is secured to the shaft 23 below Y .the level of table 2 in alignment with a sprocket .29 on shaft 4. A chain 3|] passing over'sprockets 28 and 29 turns shaft 23 in. the same direction as shaft 4. In this manner, the strips 21 travel in opposite directions to the cans near the shaker and thus strike the cans with sufiicient force to rock them as they pass.

As is best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a chute 3! is provided to feed the grapefruit sections to the can filling machine. I The chute is preferably so arranged that sections arefed to the can filling machine substantially individually in order that the sections will have a better opportunity to be oriented in the can filling machine comprising this invention. One type of apparatus suitable for this purpose is an inclined chute 3| equipped with means to vibrate the chute such as an eccentric and connecting arm arrangement 32 supporting the chute 3|. A rotating shaft 33 provides the necessary vibration for the chute. Clearly, other aparatus such as an ordinary conveyor belt could be used for feeding the grapefruit sections to a machine.

In some instances, some of the sections of grapefruit will be dropped onto the upper surface of plate l0 between adjacent cans. For this reason, it is desirable to provide a scraper to push the sections on the plate Hi into the immediately following can. A suitable scraper consists of a bracket 34% secured to the upper surface of table 2 outside of retaining strips 22 having a horizontal arm 34 extending over the upper surface of plate iii. A flexible sheet 35 is secured to the arm 34 and hangs down to a position slightly above the upper surface of plate It, The flexible sheet 35 gently nudges the grapefruit sections that have fallen between the cans into the immediately following can as the plate l9 carries the section against the scraper.

In the operation of the machine, cans suitably washed and ready for packing are fed continuously to the disc l5 and grapefruit sections progress continuously down the chute 3| towards its lower end which is positioned above the can receiving pockets 8. The cans ordinarily contain a small amount of sugar syrup or other liquid packing medium. The driving means for the shaft 4 are operated to rotate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction in the embodiment of this invention illustrated in the drawings. The direct connection of the sprockets 28 and 29 with the chain 39 rotate the shaker in a counterclockwise direction, and the sprocket arrangement for the disc [5 drives the disc in a clockwise direction. It is preferred that the disc l5 be suitably geared with respect to the wheel 6 that the linear velocity of cans positioned 'on the disc will be greaterthan the cans moving in the pockets 8. In this manner, positive feeding of the cans into an empty pocket 8 is insured.

Rotation of the wheel 6 carries the cans in pocket 8 directly under the lower end of the chute 3| and sections of grapefruit drop from the chute into the cans. In most instances, only, one section of grapefruit will drop into the can in one pass past the chute, and, in practically all instances, no more than three sections will drop into the can during any one pass. Some control of the number of sections falling into a can in each pass can be obtained by control of the speed of rotation of the wheel. Ihe cans continue their movement around the table 2 and are directed by the arms 7 past the shaker mechanism. At this position, the cans are struck by one or more ofthe strips 27 and rocked in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. This rocking motion moves the grapefruit sections in the can and orients them fiat on theirsides which is their position of greatest stability. As the can continues its movement around the filling machine, it is guided over the disc it. The disc first engages the leading edge of the can as the can moves onto the disc and last engages the trailing edge or the can as the can eaves the disc- In both instances, the disc tends to rotate the can through a few degrees in a counterclockwise direction. After leaving the disc, the can passes under the flexible sheet 35 of the scraper which removes any sections from the upper surface of plate iii. It will be appreciated that the scraper may be placed at any position around the periphery of the machine.

When the can again passes under the lower end of the chute, the sections introduced during the previous pass have been oriented on their sides and the can has been rotated slightly to a new position for receiving sections of fruit. Hence, a can is filled with layers of grapefruit sections, the majority of which lie on their side and are oriented circumferentially around the can. The can continues around the machine and is allowed to pass under the discharge end of the chute until it is filled. Ordinarily, about ten passes of the can past the chute will be required before a No. 2 can is filled. An operator then removes the filled cans from the pockets and delivers them to a suitable container to carry the cans to a further processing apparatus. When the empty pocket reaches a position over the feed disc 25, an empty can is automatically fed into the pocket and the filling operation continues.

The method and apparatus for filling cans comprising this invention packs the elongated food particles in the can with their long dimension horizontal. In this manner, the particles are supported over a wide area and tendencies to bend the particles are avoided. Hence, breakage of particles is reduced to a minimum and the cans are filled rapidly and without the formation of voids.

The container packing method and machine of this invention has been described as applied to the filling of cans with sections of citrus fruit, and is particularly valuable in that connection. However, the machine obviously may be used for packing other materials and is extremely useful in packing fragile particles having a large difierence between one of ther dimensions and the other dimension. Hence, fiat particles such as crackers or slices of pickles as well as elongated particles may be eiliciently packed according to this invention.

The number of passes of the container past the conveying means supplying the particles, and the number of particles loaded into the container in each pass, will depend, at least in part, in the relative size of the container and particles. For example, if large cans are filled with grape fruit sections, more sections may be introduced into the can in each pass because of the reduced iii 6 probability of a section being supported on end by the wall of the can. The method of this invention lies in introducing a small proportion of the total capacity of the container in each of a series of additions.

While this has been described in detail with respect to a particular modification oi the invention, it is to be understood that the concept of this invention is not limited to those details, but is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for packing elongated food particles in containers comprising means to supply the food particles, a container supporting table under the supplying means, a rotating wheel spaced above said surface, said wheel having a plurality of pockets in its periphery for the reception of containers arranged to move the containers over the table under the supplying means. said wheel adapted to move the containers at a rate to drop a few food particles into the containers in each pass under the supplying means, and a shaker adapted to shake the containers after they pass under the supplying means to orient the food particles therein, and a rotating disc positioned to engage containers and rotate the containers about their longitudinal axis during each trip around the supporting table whereby the food particles dropped into the container in successive passes under the supplying means are angularly displaced.

2. Apparatus for the packing of elongated food particles into containers comprising a feed conveyor adapted to supply the food particles substantially individually, a table on which the containers move positioned below the feed conveyor, a rotating wheel positioned above the table, pockets in the outer periphery of the wheel for engaging the containers and moving them repeatedly around the table and under the feed conveyor, a rotating feed disc at substantially the level of the table extending under the pockets in the rotating wheel to feed empty containers in the pockets, said table forming a stationary supporting surface for the containers extending continuously under the pockets in the wheel from one side of the feed disc to the other whereby containers in the pockets are rotated about their vertical axis as they move onto and leave the feed disc.

RALPH POLK, SR. RALPH POLK, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,237,637 Schmutzer Apr. 8, 1941 2,328,401 Stover et al. Aug. 31, 1943 2,546,501 Hamilton Mar. 27, 1951 2,581,795 Howard Jan. 8, 1952 

